LIKE IT?: J. Uma Maheshwari has a word with some some of the girls who received free bikes.  Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI
: Students of the Government Model High School and Jaigopal Garodia Government Higher Secondary School in Saidapet received free bicycles on Tuesday.

The cycles were distributed under the State-sponsored `Free bicycle distribution to school students' scheme. Over 200 students of the Jaigopal Garodia school and 960 students of Government school received them.

The Director of Matriculation Schools, Chennai,Mrs. Uma Maheswari, whogave awaythe cycles, said the standard of education in Tamil Nadu was a worthy example for other States to follow. She urged students to follow traffic rules and ride safely.

Commenting on thunderous applause given by the students to their headmasters, she said "I am really happy to see this kind of student-teacher bond. This is a very important educational indicator."